The hospital says that they’re expecting a wave of phone calls from patients’ following national media coverage about the ‘NHS winter plans.

Chief executive Jon Green said: “Whilst we have cancelled some operations, and despite high levels of attendances at A&E, we would like to reassure the public that our outpatients’ appointments are running.

“So we would ask all patients to continue to attend their appointments as normal unless we contact them directly. However, we continually review the situation.”

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn

An NHS spokesman said: “Pressures have been building on A&E departments for several years and can increase significantly over winter because of a rise in the number of people admitted to hospital.

“The NHS has pulled out all the stops to prepare for this winter – we are determined to protect the good standards of service that the public have come to expect.

“As a result, planning started earlier than ever before with hospitals, GPs, social services and other health professionals coming together to work out the best way of responding in every area of the country.”